Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 9th March 2023) below:
Cllr Jane Barnby
Hazel and I were sorry to hear the news Goodrington with Roselands Councillor Jane Barnby has died.
Jane was not just a political colleague, but a friend as well, having been very supportive of my work since I was first selected a decade ago. She will be missed.
Windsor Framework
The biggest story at Westminster last week, was the announcement of an agreement being reached between the EU and the UK which seeks to resolve issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Several aspects of the agreement are an improvement on the previous arrangements under the Northern Ireland Protocol, in particular the removal of routine checks on goods intended to remain in Northern Ireland. I did though query aspects such as what role the EU team in Belfast would have beyond checks on goods someone has specifically declared are headed for the EU.
I look forward to receiving some further clarifications before taking a final decision on the new deal, but my first impressions of it are positive.
Asylum Hotels JR
The move by the Home Office to use 2 hotels within the core tourism area of our bay as longer-term accommodation for asylum seekers was the subject of a Judicial Review brought by Torbay Council.
I supported the Council’s grounds for challenging this, especially given previous precedents set in terms of refusing planning permission for longer-term accommodation uses in locations specifically designated within the tourism “red lines”. A similar application by Great Yarmouth succeeded, based on their planning policies around designated tourism areas, which are like Torbay’s. I am therefore surprised Torbay’s application for a Judicial Review was refused.
Late last year the Prime Minister announced a plan to reduce and end the usage of hotels as accommodation, with further legislation due shortly. It is now vital practical steps are taken to implement the promised end of this usage, including here in our bay, which is costly for taxpayers and delivers poor outcomes overall.
Ocean Treaty
After more than a decade of negotiations, the first ever treaty to protect the world's oceans, which lie outside national boundaries, has been agreed.
The UN High Seas Treaty places 30% of the world's oceans into protected areas, compared to the current 1%, whilst putting more money into marine conservation and creating new rules for mining at sea. The new Treaty is a vital update to the last international agreement which was signed back in 1982.
It will need to be ratified by each country who signed it to be legally enforceable, yet this agreement marks a very welcome step towards protecting our oceans and the many endangered species which live with in them.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 18th March 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Friday 24th March 4pm till 5:30pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
